Suspended Montgomery County Municipal Court Judge Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor Count of Obstructing Official Business

COLUMBUS — A suspended Montgomery County Municipal Court judge pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor count following an investigation by the Auditor of State’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into the employment of his son in the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Office.

James Piergies admitted to the single count of obstructing official business and was sentenced during a hearing in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

As part of a plea agreement, he received a 90-day suspended jail sentence, two years of community control, and a $750 fine. He also must complete 75 hours of community service and is resigning from the bench.

The SIU investigation related to the employment of Piergies’ son in the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Office, though his salary was covered by a disbursement from Montgomery County Municipal Court, with the transfers signed by Piergies.

Piergies was indicted in July 2024. SIU attorneys were appointed as special prosecutors in the case.

Since 2019, the Special Investigations Unit has assisted in 137 convictions resulting in more than $13 million in restitution (see Map of SIU Convictions since January 2019). The team receives hundreds of tips of suspected fraud annually. Tips can be submitted anonymously online or via SIU’s fraud hotline at 866-FRAUD-OH (866-372-8364).

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The Auditor of State’s Office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,900 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Keith Faber, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies, and promotes transparency in government.

Public Affairs
Contact: Marc Kovac
press@ohioauditor.gov